What do you know about the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship? Get ready to learn about this great privilege.
What is the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship About?
The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship is a program designed to assist students with intellectual disabilities.
These students must have completed high school. Also, they must have been enrolled in an individualized program of study. The study must have been up to four (4) years at an eligible postsecondary institution.
Value and Worth of the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship award amount is up to $2,250. And this is per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore.
Also, it is up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior. However, the determination of class status is made by the postsecondary institution.
The sum of all financial aid, including a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship, for which a student qualifies, cannot exceed the institutionally defined total cost of education at the eligible postsecondary institution the scholarship recipient is attending.
If the total cost of education is exceeded, then the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship may be reduced.
Eligibility of the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
To be eligible for the Tennessee STEP UP scholarship, the applicant must:
- Not be ineligible for the scholarship under § 49-4-904.
- Have been a Tennessee resident as classified by the Tennessee Board of Education; pursuant to TCA 49-8-104.
- Complete high school in a Tennessee high school in accordance with the requirements of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). And must have received a high school diploma, occupational diploma or certificate, a special education diploma, a transition certificate, or an IEP certificate.
- Be admitted to and enrol in an eligible postsecondary institution in an eligible postsecondary program. And this is no later than sixteen (16) months after completing high school and applying for a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship each academic year.
Additionally:
- To continue to be eligible for a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship, a student shall maintain continual enrollment in the eligible postsecondary program as defined by the eligible postsecondary institution.
- Make satisfactory academic progress in the student’s program of study as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution.
- Also, students, who lose the scholarship at any time for any reason, shall not be eligible to regain the scholarship.
Also:
- Interestingly, students who receive an approved medical or personal leave of absence from an eligible postsecondary institution may continue to receive the scholarship upon resuming the student’s education in the eligible postsecondary program.
- Also, the student must continue to meet all eligibility requirements. The sum of the number of years that the student attended the eligible postsecondary program prior to the leave of absence and the number of years of attendance after the leave of absence equals the number of years required to complete the eligible postsecondary program in which the student is enrolled, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution.
What then is an Eligible Postsecondary Program?
An eligible postsecondary program is defined as a postsecondary program that has received the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program designation from the United States Department of Education.
Also, it is offered by an eligible postsecondary institution that assists students with intellectual disabilities. However, they must have completed high school. But also must need a strong system of education supports and services to access and obtain postsecondary education.
To be an eligible postsecondary program, note. A program shall consist of an individualized program of study of up to four (4) years.
Also, must be designed to provide meaningful postsecondary activities, including academic, career development and exploration and independent living skills, on the postsecondary campus.
STEP UP Scholarship Application Guide
Students and parents must complete and submit the STEP UP Scholarship application. The application can be submitted by downloading the application and clicking the submit button in the application or by emailing the form to [email protected].
Additionally, recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year. The FAFSA can be completed by clicking here.
Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship Application Process
The deadlines to complete both applications are:
- Fall – September 1
- Spring – February 1
- Summer – May 1
Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship Termination Criteria
To continue to be eligible for a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship, a student shall:
- Maintain continual enrollment in the eligible postsecondary program as defined by the eligible postsecondary institution.
- Also, make satisfactory academic progress in the student’s program of study as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution.
- However, students, who lose the scholarship at any time for any reason, shall not be eligible to regain the scholarship.
Interesting Fact
Students who receive an approved medical or personal leave of absence from an eligible postsecondary institution may continue to receive the scholarship upon resuming the student’s education in the eligible postsecondary program.
Also, the student must continue to meet all eligibility requirements. That is; the sum of the number of years that the student attended the eligible postsecondary program.
This is prior to the leave of absence and the number of years of attendance after the leave of absence equals the number of years required to complete the eligible postsecondary program in which the student is enrolled, as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution.
Follow the above information and guide and make effective use of this great opportunity. We believe this article on Tennessee Step Up scholarship has been helpful, Feel free to share it with friends and loved ones.
